What we do

People-centred – A safe and reliable stormwater network and effective maintenance and operation programmes prevent avoidable disruptions to community living and minimise the risks of injury and the risks of damage to property from stormwater.

Eco-city – A safe and reliable stormwater network minimise the impacts – such as erosion – of stormwater on the environment.

Dynamic central city – A safe and reliable stormwater network and effective maintenance and operations programmes allow people to live, work and play in the central city safely and without disruption.

Connected – A safe and reliable stormwater network and effective maintenance and operations programmes reduce the risk of avoidable surface flooding and environmental damage that may affect transport networks.

As a part of the stormwater consent compliance a Stormwater Consultative Committee has met approximately every three months to discuss and provide comment on stormwater issues. The committee is made up of parties who expressed interest during the initial consenting process.

Two bridges over the Karori Stream were replaced. Work began to renew the stormwater drains in Tasman Street serving the Mt Cook Catchment and the Massey University campus.

A major rainfall event occurred on 6 May 2013 resulting in widespread surface flooding and flooding of 32 residential and commercial buildings. We implemented the Capacity Emergency Management Plan establishing an emergency control centre at our offices in conjunction with the maintenance contractor – CityCare.

The Tacy Street Stormwater pump station performed well in the heavy rain events of May 2013. This was its first real test since the pump station was completed at the end of 2011. It ensured flooding was averted in its catchment during a severe rain storm.

We worked with WREMO (Wellington Regional Emergency Management Office) and Council Emergency Controllers to respond to the 6 May flood event.

We work with stakeholders likely to be affected by construction activities to minimise the effects of investigation and construction activities – for example, investigations to confirm the suitability of a route for a stormwater pipe upgrade through Massey University. The existing drain passes underneath the university and we worked with the university to identify potential routes for its replacement, conducting site investigations outside of examination periods to minimise the effect on students and staff.

Our stormwater activities should protect public health and property without compromising the environment. We measure our effectiveness by monitoring beach water quality, and by resident satisfaction with the stormwater network and response times for service requests.

Result: 72% of requests were responded to within one hour of notification (target: 95%). Transition issues with the new service provider are being addressed. Despite the non-compliance no complaints were received.

Source: Capacity Infrastructure Services Ltd

Number of buildings reported to have been flooded as a result of a less than one-in-50-year rain event

Result: 49 properties flooded (target: no properties flooded).

All of the properties flooded are a result of four significant weather events. Investigations on network capacity are being undertaken to understand cause and potential solutions.

Source: Capacity Infrastructure Services Ltd

To understand the impact of stormwater on the environment

Seawater samples are collected and analysed for Enterococci bacteria, in accordance with GWRC and the Ministry for the Environment requirements. Samples collected within 48 hours of a heavy rain event can read high due to contaminants entering the stormwater network.